Materials Technician Apprentice (Level 3) - Heidelberg Materials UK

Tiro; Bristol; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 22,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading provider of apprenticeship training is seeking an Apprentice Product Development Technician at their Bristol facility. In this role, you will engage in hands-on laboratory work to test and develop materials for the UK's road infrastructure. The ideal candidate will have a keen interest in materials science and demonstrate a proactive approach towards learning and innovation. You will be part of a supportive team working towards sustainability, with opportunities for career advancement in a forward-thinking organization.

Benefits

Salary of £20,176/year

Competitive Bonus Package

Generous pension

Life assurance

27 days holiday plus bank holidays

Paid volunteering day

Employee assistance programme

Retail discounts

Continuous learning opportunities

Enhanced family-friendly policies

Qualifications

• Enthusiastic about materials science and product development.
• Curiosity-driven and committed to learning.
• Ability to work in a laboratory environment.

Responsibilities

• Create and test new Asphalt materials.
• Conduct accredited tests according to industry standards.
• Investigate material complaints and create technical reports.
• Support project management across the technical team.
• Engage in research and development of innovative products.

Skills

Attention to detail

Communication

Teamwork

Proactive learning

Job description

Department

Science Apprenticeship - Materials L3

Location

Bristol

The Ridge, Bristol, BS37 6AY

Compensation

£20,176 / year

Description

Working for Heidelberg Materials: Heidelberg Materials UK (formerly Hanson UK) is one of the UK’s largest suppliers of construction materials, employing over 4,000 people and operating around 300 manufacturing sites in the UK. We are committed to building a more sustainable future and recognise that a diverse workforce is key to our growth and development. We aim to foster a culture that values openness, transparency and individual achievement. At the centre of our actions lies the responsibility for the environment. As the front runner on the path to carbon neutrality and circular economy in the building materials industry, we are working on sustainable building materials and solutions for the future. We enable new opportunities for our customers through digitalisation.

The Package

• Starting salary of £20,176/year
• Competitive Package: Salary, bonus incentives, generous pension, and life assurance
• Work-Life Balance: 27 days holiday (plus bank holidays)
• Inclusive Culture: Paid volunteering day and active employee communities (LGBTQ+, Women in STEM, Armed Forces, and more)
• Wellbeing & Development: Employee Assistance Programme, retail discounts, and continuous learning opportunities
• Family-Friendly Policies: Enhanced support for maternity, paternity, adoption, IVF, neonatal care, and menopause

What will I be doing as an apprentice?

We are thrilled to offer an exciting opportunity for an Apprentice Product Development Technician (Level 3) to join our expert team at the Heidelberg Materials UK Chipping Sodbury National Laboratory. In this role, you’ll play a vital part in the testing, development, and innovation of materials that support the UK’s road and infrastructure network. Working closely with experienced professionals, you’ll help ensure our products meet exacting performance and sustainability standards through hands‑on laboratory testing, analysis, and reporting. This is an apprenticeship role. You will be required to complete a study and apprenticeship programme and maintain all required apprenticeship documentation adhereing to all apprenticeship requirements and commitments. You will learn and develop towards carrying out the below duties: all within a supportive, forward‑thinking organisation that champions innovation, sustainability, and personal growth.

Summary of duties:

• Create and test new Asphalt materials to meet performance specifications
• Conduct over 40 accredited tests in line with industry standards
• Investigate material complaints and produce detailed technical reports
• Manage your own projects and provide support across the technical team
• Participate in research and development of innovative product

Due to the nature of the role, you must be 18+ to be suitable for this apprenticeship position.

What could the future look like?

When you join Heidelberg Materials UK, the possibilities for your success are limitless. Starting your journey in the Asphalt Product Development Laboratory as an apprentice, you’ll be part of the team responsible for designing all UK asphalt materials, ensuring their ongoing performance, and driving research and innovation in new technologies that shape the future of our products. You’ll gain hands‑on experience in a well‑established construction materials testing laboratory, working closely with a small team of technical experts and supporting activities such as product development and complaint investigations. As your skills grow, so will your opportunities you could progress into senior supervisory or laboratory management roles, move into an Area Technical Manager position, join our National Laboratory for quality control, or even transition into production at plant level, helping to manufacture the very products you helped to develop.

Skills, Knowledge, and Experience

We are looking for an apprentice who is curious motivated, and ready to take on challenges in a laboratory environment. You should bring enthusiasm and a genuine interest in materials science, engineering, or product development, with a proactive approach to learning new techniques and technologies.

About You

We are looking for an apprentice who is curious motivated, and ready to take on challenges in a laboratory environment. You should bring enthusiasm and a genuine interest in materials science, engineering, or product development, with a proactive approach to learning new techniques and technologies.

What we are looking for

• Great attention to detail
• Methodical mindset
• Good communicator
• Team player
• Reliable
• Committed
• Eager to learn, grow, and make a meaningful contribution to the future of sustainable construction materials.

Experience

We value attitude, curiosity, and commitment just as much as past experience. While previous science experience can be helpful, it’s not essential — we welcome applicants from all backgrounds, especially those with a genuine interest in the field and the motivation to build a career. You might be a school or college leaver, or someone looking to retrain. Either way, if you’re enthusiastic, proactive, and ready to learn, you’ll fit right in.

Qualifications

It’s about enthusiasm, not school results. In our experience the most successful apprentices are those who are driven to find out more about the sector, can be up front about what they do and don’t already know, are considerate, self-reflective, and impatient to learn the job role!

So how does the apprenticeship work?

Over 18 months, you’ll devote a minimum of 6 hours of your working week on ‘off the job’ training. This can include theory training (for example, virtual lessons & online learning), alongside practical training (for example shadowing, mentoring, & time spent writing assignments. Together this will count towards a Level 3 Laboratory Technician apprenticeship. You’ll be trained by an expert tutor from Tiro as well as an experienced mentor at Heidelberg Materials UK who together, will make sure you develop the knowledge, skills, and work habits you’ll need to succeed in your career. Being an apprentice is hands‑on, so you’ll get the chance to learn things you might otherwise not have experienced in a university or college environment. The best part? You’ll be earning a salary while you gain your qualifications, meaning no huge student loans to pay back at the end of the programme!

Eligibility

While we never want to hinder your job application process with obstacles, there are some minimum requirements you’ll need to meet in order to do an apprenticeship, these are rules set by the UK Government. As a training provider, we are committed to ensuring that our apprenticeship programs deliver significant new knowledge and skills. To be eligible, applicants must demonstrate that the programme will provide learning and experiences beyond their current qualifications and professional expertise. If you already hold a Level 3, degree or equivalent higher-level qualification in a closely related field, or possess substantial relevant experience, you may not be eligible for apprenticeship funding, as these programmes are designed for individuals who require upskilling or reskilling in their chosen career pathway. You’ll need to be over 16, not in full‑time education, have lived in the UK for 3 years and have the right to work in the UK. If you don’t quite meet these minimum requirements yet, let us know you’re interested here and we’ll get in touch to discuss this further with you.